A cavity is a hole that develops on the surface of your teeth due to bacteria and sugars in your diet. It is also known as dental caries or tooth decay. This article will explain the causes of cavities, the risk factors, and how to stop them from growing. Cavities are small pits or holes in your teeth that can grow larger if not treated in time. Left untreated, they can cause pain, sensitivity, and permanent damage to your teeth. However, with regular check-ups and good home care habits you can prevent cavities from growing further or recurring.

How To Stop Cavity From Growing

Eat a balanced diet

Your teeth are made of minerals, including calcium, phosphorous, and fluoride. To maintain strong teeth, an ideal diet should include plenty of calcium and vitamin C. This can help to prevent cavities from growing or recurring.

Brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride is essential for dental health since it helps to strengthen the enamel on your teeth. You can use a conventional toothpaste or a special one that contains fluoride such as Crest Pro-Health or Colgate Total Advanced Protection Plus Whitening Toothpaste. Be sure to brush thoroughly for at least two minutes and keep brushing for at least two minutes after eating and drinking liquids like coffee or tea that can stain your teeth.

Get regular check-ups from the dentist

If you have already had cavities in your mouth, it is important to see the dentist regularly so they can monitor the progress of the cavity and take care of any symptoms that may occur while you are waiting on the recommended treatment plan by your dentist (see step 4 below). If you are not sure if you have cavities, ask your dentist which areas require extra attention during check-ups so that you know what to expect when visiting them in order for them to find out more about why there is pain in certain areas of your mouth as well as what treatment might be needed in order for them to restore your healthy smile.

Take care of your teeth daily

In addition to brushing your teeth, you should also floss at least once a day to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth. You can use a flossing toothpick or a regular one if you prefer. You can also use dental tape that is specially designed for the purpose of removing plaque from between teeth and gums (see picture below). If you have sensitive teeth, it is best to use dental tape for cleaning since it does not contain any abrasives (which could harm the sensitive areas of your mouth). If you do not have dental tape available, you can use cotton swabs to clean around the edges of your teeth and in between them as well.

Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks like sodas, juice, or other beverages with high sugar content

A healthy diet combined with regular brushing and flossing will help to prevent cavities from developing in the first place but if they do develop on your teeth they will be easier to treat since they are smaller than when they are left untreated (see step 3 above). It is also important not to drink too many sugar-containing beverages as this can lead to dental decay so limit yourself by drinking only one sugar-containing beverage per day such as fruit juice or soda. If you drink more than one beverage containing sugar every day, this may lead to more cavities developing on top of what has already formed on your teeth in the first place.

Have your teeth professionally cleaned

If you do not have regular dental check-ups and you notice any changes in the appearance of your teeth, you should visit a dental clinic every 6 months or so to have them professionally cleaned. This is especially important if you have a lot of cavities (see step 3 above). If your dentist performs this service for free, ask them to clean your teeth more often than every 6 months as this will help to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis (see step 2 above). You should also ask them to use hydrogen peroxide in order for them to kill off the germs on your teeth which will hinder their formation as well as prevent any new cavities from forming on top of what has already formed on your teeth (see step 1 above). A professional cleaning service should also include an examination of all areas of the mouth in order for them to determine if there are any areas that need additional attention such as an evaluation for gum disease or other conditions that may be causing pain and discomfort. If they find anything unusual, they will also be able to treat it accordingly so that it does not get worse and cause additional problems in the future.

What Are The Causes Of Cavities?

The most common cause of cavities is the formation of plaque on your teeth

Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on your teeth when there is a high level of sugar-containing food in your mouth that has not been thoroughly washed away with water after eating. When plaque remains on your teeth it can harden and form cavities.

Another cause of cavities is bacteria that live in the mouth

When you eat foods like bread, meats, and cheese, these foods can contain bacteria called “caries-causing microorganisms” which will leave behind food particles after they are consumed by you. When these particles land on your teeth, they can begin to form plaque (see step 1 above) which will then harden and turn into cavities (see step 1 above). If you do not have regular dental check-ups, you may also have a higher risk of developing cavities if the bacteria that cause them are present in your mouth at a higher rate than usual. This may be because of a lack of cleanliness or poor dental hygiene or because you have had certain diseases such as diabetes which leads to poor blood circulation so that the germs cannot be removed from the bloodstream as easily as they normally would be able to.

Another cause of cavities is damage to your teeth

If you have had certain dental procedures such as wisdom tooth removal or dental implants, you may be more likely to develop cavities because the bacteria that cause plaque and gingivitis are able to live on the surface of your teeth after these procedures have been performed. Since these bacteria can survive on the surface of your teeth, they can begin to form plaque and cause cavities even after the procedure has been completed.

Risk Factors For Cavity Growth

The most common risk factor for developing cavities is poor oral hygiene

If you do not brush your teeth and floss them regularly, you are at a higher risk of developing cavities.

If you have had a root canal or other dental procedure, you may also be at a higher risk of developing cavities

If the bacteria that cause gingivitis and plaque can live on the surface of your teeth after certain procedures such as wisdom tooth removal or dental implants have been performed, they may begin to form plaque even after the procedure has been completed and cause cavities in your mouth.

Being overweight is also a risk factor for developing cavities

Being overweight can cause your teeth to become more porous which will make it easier for plaque and gingivitis to accumulate on them and form cavities. The same goes for being underweight as well. If you are underweight, your bones are not getting enough calcium which will lead to a lack of proper mineralization of your teeth which could cause a higher risk of cavities.

Smoking can also be a risk factor for developing cavities

Smoking causes your body to lose calcium which then leads to a lack of proper mineralization of your teeth which could cause a higher risk of cavities.

Conclusion

Cavities can be prevented by following a healthy diet, practicing good oral hygiene, and visiting your dentist regularly. If you notice any symptoms of a cavity, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. If you follow these tips, you will be able to prevent cavities and keep your teeth healthy for longer.